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Alonso: 'If we win by September, I will stay!'

Fernando Alonso is ratcheting up the pressure on McLaren-Honda, saying that his only interest is winning, and if that happens by September he will stay with the Woking outfit.

McLaren boss Zak Brown revealed yesterday that McLaren is fast approaching 'a fork in the road', when difficult decisions will have to be made.

Alonso likely took note of his employer's stance, but was asked at the Canadian GP media conference today about his own plans for the future.

We have to win," said Alonso, who is in the final season of a three-year contract, when asked what it would take to keep him at McLaren-Honda in 2018.

"If we are winning before September or something like that, I will make a decision, then I will stay.

McLaren nearing a 'fork in the road' with Honda

The Spaniard added however that the situation was fluid and that his outlook is not definitive, at least not yet.

"You cannot be 100 per cent now in June about one decision for next year that you don't even start to consider.

"What we all want is to win, and I think relating to the answer before, Zak's comments about Honda, is probably what you expect Zak to say.

"He wants to win and he wants to put McLaren [in] position for the championship. After three years we are not in that position, so things have to change, for the team.

"It's the same with me, I want to win.

"I joined this project because I wanted to be champion, and we are not in that position, so if you don't see things changing, if you are not in a competitive position, maybe you change project.

"That's the only thing I can say now.

"Until I sit down in September, October or whatever, after the summer, as I've always said, I cannot say 100 per cent about anything now."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.